Backed into odd-on favouritism, Maktoob (GB) took an uncomfortably long time to run down the game pacesetter Keats (IRL), but he did it professionally in the end to earn a maiden stakes success in Sunday’s $200,000 Listed Ladbrokes Sale Cup (1600m).
Given the run of the race by Blaike McDougall, the Simon Zahra-trained imported son of Awtaad (IRE), defeated the Galileo gelding Keats, a three-quarter brother to Churchill (IRE), by three-quarters of a length with the Iffraaj (GB) gelding Riyazan (IRE) one and a quarter lengths back in third.
With his fourth win in seven starts in Australia, Maktoob (GB) advances his overall record to five wins and two thirds from 10 starts with earnings of $276,569.
The winner of one of three starts when trained in England by David Simcock, Maktoob (GB) was a private purchase for Cameron Cooke Bloodstock.
“Could not have scripted much better,” McDougall said.
“Full credit to Simon Zahra and the team at home.
“He’s progressive, and they are still learning about him. It is his second prep, and he was well-found by Cameron Cooke and was well-placed today.
“I’m sure he will keep stepping up as the bar rises. He is a very sound, genuine, middle-distance staying type.”
Purchased as an unraced 2yo for 50,000 gns by agent Colm Sharkey at Tattersalls in 2021, Maktoob (GB) won on debut at Wolverhampton on debut at three before failing at his next two starts.
Bred by Shadwell, he is out of the unraced Dansili mare Mudawanah, a sister to Group III winner Talaayeb, and a half to dual Group III winner and multiple Group II placed Muntazah (Dubawi) and stakes winner Wadilsafa (Frankel) and stakes-placed Ojooba (Dubawi).
Mudawanah’s stakes-winning dam Rumoush (Rahy) finished third to Snow Fairy in the 2010 Epsom Oaks.
Maktoob (GB) is the 11th stakes-winner for Derrinstown Stud’s Irish Two Thousand Guineas winner Awtaad (IRE) (Cape Cross).
